It's been just over a year since I was ordained and installed as a pastor. I am no longer a "rookie" in the technical sense, though in many respects I continue to bump and feel my way through this ministry as I have for the past year. I've heard it said that it takes 18 months to get settled into a new job (don't ask who said that – I have no idea). Perhaps that is true.
But for the first time in my ministry I can say "I've done this before," in advance of a particular annual event. This first struck me as I saved my sermon for the 4th Sunday in Advent,
and I saw in my computer's sermons folder that I preached on the 4th Sunday in
Advent last year, too.
Christmas Eve? Done that. Annual Meeting? I was there last year. I'm now asking fewer questions and moving forward more confidently, even as I continue to grow into the nuances and unique patterns of ministry at my congregation. And for this I'm excited. It's been a great first year of ministry, and I look forward to many more to come.
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FYI, I've changed the manner in which I post my sermons. They now appear on a separate blog with their own feed and email subscription. If you want to get my (more or less) bi-weekly sermons, visit my sermons blog (linked in tab above), and scroll down to the "Subscribe to Sermons" box in the right hand column.
The Lutheran Zephyr 
good to know that at some point i will sort-of feel like i know what i am doing.
i agree with Christine. you are encouraging me that i will one day be able to say, “i’ve done this, i’ve done that”. it was all very overwhelming yesterday!! as the new rookie, i sometimes feel lost. peace.